Owls block last-second field goal to preserve upset win

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Florida Atlantic came to Legion Field to take on UAB Thursday with hopes of erasing memories of last year's embarrassing, lopsided loss to the Blazers.

The Owls did more than that, overcoming a 16-point deficit to take a 32-31 lead with 2:20 left in the game and then blocking a last-second field goal attempt to stun the Blazers.

"It was great winning against them. They beat us down last year. We wanted to come in and show we can play with them and we did," said linebacker Michael Lockley, who blocked the 28-yard field goal to preserve the win.

The Owls were behind the entire game, much of it by double digits, before Alfred Morris rumbled 38 yards, breaking multiple tackles, for a score that turned out to be the winning touchdown with 2:20 left in the game.

"That was a crazy run," said Morris, who had 103 yards on 16 carries.

But UAB moved the ball quickly down the field and set up for the field goal with five seconds left, but Lockley leaped up and got his hand on the ball.

FAU used five defensive backs throughout the game, inviting the Blazers to run, and they did, gaining 354 yards and scoring three of their touchdowns on the ground.

And while the Blazers held FAU to 93 yards rushing, they couldn't handle FAU's passing attack, particularly the Jeff Van Camp-to-Lester Jean combination.

Trailing the Blazers 14-0 after the first quarter, Jean caught touchdown catches of 25 and 77 yards in the second quarter to cut the Blazers lead to 14-12 with 3:36 left in the half.

Jean had nine catches for 164 yards and two touchdowns, all career highs.

"I was just trying to make some plays to help the team win," Jean said.

"That is just chemistry. Me and Lester are on the same page," Van Camp said.

Van Camp threw for 254 yards and three touchdowns with one interception.

After FAU's first comeback, UAB scored twice and had a 28-12 lead early in the third quarter and appeared to have the game in hand.

But FAU's defense helped turn things around when Brantley Harstad returned an interception 38 yards for a touchdown to cut the lead to 28-19.

FAU scored again when running back Willie Floyd was left open in the flat and he took a short pass from Van Camp 43 yards for a touchdown and UAB's lead was down to 28-26 after three quarters.

A 34-yard field goal by UAB's Josh Zahn made it 31-26 with 7:28 left in the game, but the Owls had one more comeback and one blocked field goal in them.